Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has said that it will appeal that decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to postpone the Punjab Assembly elections
The electoral watchdog has announced to postpone the provincial assembly’s elections by more than five months until October 8. The Punjab Assembly elections were unexpectedly postponed on Wednesday, citing the deteriorating security situation in the country. The polls were initially set for April 30.
The commission stated in a late-night 8-page ruling that it had determined it was impossible to hold and organize the elections “honestly, justly, fairly, in a peaceful manner and in accordance with the Constitution and law after taking into account the reports, briefings, and information submitted before it.
Therefore, the commission “hereby withdraws the election program and fresh schedule will be issued in due course with the poll date on October 8”, it had said. This was done in the exercise of powers granted to the ECP by Article 218(3), read with Section 58 and Section 8(c) of the Elections Act, 2017.
Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar spoke to the media on Wednesday. Fawad Chaudhry said that the whole country demanded Article 6 of the Constitution, which addresses treason, to be applied to the ECP officials.
The phrase “this article has never been imposed on anyone” was used by Fawad to describe the situation this time. “This is the first attempt at constitutional subversion by a sitting civilian government,” headed.
Former federal information minister declared that the country was prepared for elections and that they will take place on April 30 “because the Constitution and the Supreme Court said so.” He reiterated that the people as a whole were supporting the highest court and continued by saying that it was essential for both to safeguard the Constitution.
I plead to the judges, saying, “You have no other work to do; your job is to save the Constitution.” The PTI leader argued that the top court was under pressure since the existing administration was waging a campaign against them.
Asad Umar said that it was unconstitutional to delay the Punjab election from April 30 to October 8. He asserted that ECP was disobeying the Supreme Court’s order to hold polls 90 days after dissolving the Punjab Assembly.
In a statement made last night, the ECP said that on March 10 it held a meeting with intelligence and security officials from Punjab and KP and learned about their inability to assist the commission in conducting elections, the possibility of election officials being abducted during the polls, and their recommendation that elections not be held at this time.
According to the directive, the ECP was told on March 14 that owing to the ongoing security situation, the Army would not be available for poll-related responsibilities.
